TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – Every February, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) joins forces with public safety partners for a hit-and-run awareness campaign. This annual initiative urges drivers to stay at the scene if they are involved in a traffic crash, reinforcing the importance of responsibility and legal compliance.
Despite continuous efforts, key statistics regarding hit-and-run crashes remain stubbornly consistent. These incidents frequently occur during dawn, dusk, low-light conditions, or inclement weather. Pedestrians and cyclists account for the highest number of fatalities in these cases.
Understanding the Causes
With contributing factors largely unchanged, why do hit-and-run cases continue to persist?
The three most common reasons drivers flee the scene of a crash include:
- Fear: Drivers may worry about facing legal consequences such as arrest, fines, or jail time. Others may fear confrontations with the other driver, bystanders, or law enforcement due to prior infractions or an invalid driver’s license.
- Environment: Poor visibility, hazardous roadway conditions, and adverse weather can influence a driver’s decision to leave the scene.
- State of the Driver: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or engaging in distracted driving significantly increases the likelihood of a hit-and-run.
Understanding these factors highlights why remaining at the scene is both legally required and the safest option.
Legal and Criminal Consequences
Under Florida law, drivers must stop immediately if they are involved in a crash that results in property damage, injury, or death. Leaving the scene can lead to severe penalties:
- Property Damage: Fleeing is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- Injuries: Leaving the scene elevates the offense to a second- or third-degree felony, resulting in license revocation (minimum three years), up to five years in prison, and a $5,000 fine.
- Fatalities: Drivers convicted of fleeing a fatal crash face up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner emphasized, “Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is not merely a choice; it’s an act that disregards the impact to others involved.”
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Colonel Gary Howze II reinforced this stance: “You may not intend to be involved in a collision, but when someone leaves the scene, it immediately turns their actions from unintentional to criminal.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Florida recorded 97,519 hit-and-run crashes last year. Of these, 81,205 involved property damage alone—cases where vehicles hit parked cars, mailboxes, fences, or landscaping.
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If a crash involves only property damage, the responsible driver must attempt to locate the owner or leave their contact and insurance information in an identifiable place. Both parties can then self-file a crash report with FLHSMV.
Commitment to Public Safety
State officials and law enforcement agencies strongly advocate for driver accountability. FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., emphasized, “Remaining at the scene isn’t just the right thing to do—it can save lives.” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell added, “Hit-and-run incidents are illegal and often result in severe criminal penalties. More importantly, leaving the scene can put lives at risk and delay emergency assistance.”
Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) President Charlie Vazquez also warned drivers against fleeing: “Those who leave the scene often face significant criminal penalties and waste valuable investigative resources. Be responsible and compassionate—don’t leave the scene.”
Stay or Go?
The consequences of fleeing a crash scene far outweigh those of staying. Responsible driving ensures that injured parties receive timely assistance, facilitates proper information exchange, and allows law enforcement to assess the situation accurately.
For more information on the ‘Stay at the Scene’ campaign, including data and resources, visit FLHSMV’s Hit-and-Run Awareness webpage.